Say Something Funny

It's not uncommon to bring up Second City improv classes in casual conversation making small talk and instantly have the person say back "say something funny". There's this perception that humor is something learned, something that can be recalled quickly, recited. In reality, what is truly funny is just being honest. Sure the delivery of the message never hurt any joke... but in summary just plain life is funny. When at an improv performance, the scenes that can connect with real life moments but take the scene just a few notches past normal get the most laughs. Its not a matter of saying something funny as it is experiencing everyday moments from a new perspective. Challenge yourself to pay attention throughout your day to everything happening around you... bet you'll realize that you've got yourself a free improv ticket and don't even know it!

Creating Your Environment

In improv performances, its just the actors on stage with little to no props (maybe a chair if that). It's up to them to take the audiences suggestion and create an environment for the scene to unfold. The way the actors walk thru the space, pretending to interact with non-existent objects helps the audiences' imaginations visualize the setting of the scene. In the improvisers mind they need to be very specific with what they are envisioning the environment to look like. If its an apartment, is it vintage or a high rise... is the furniture modern or classic... have they lived there long is it homey??? This ablity to create an environment on stage is called "scene work" and it is a noticable sign of an outstanding improviser when its done well! Outside the theater walls, the ability to create your own environment is equally important. It takes sometime to settle into a new city, explore what is important to you, finding friends that connect with you, and overall just feel at home. After all, your environment is a big part of your life... it sets the stage for you to live out a good performance.

Details Unfolding on Stage

When in a performance, improvisers need to pay very close attention to all the details unfolding on stage. As new information is introduced its important that it is absorbed so that future plot and dialogue within the scene doesn't contradict something previously stated. With an equal balance of listening and sharing on stage the scene can smoothly propel even though its being made up on the spot. In life, this balance of communication helps strengthen relationships... know that even the littlest detail shared can help you connect with people. Sometimes listening is as important as talking.

Be a Character

In improvised scenes; actors have the ability to establish characters on the spot per the audience's suggestions. They base these characters after people they have witnessed in real life and they can be far from the actor's personal personality. This is a great perk of improv, going beyond the norm, but why does it have to stop there?!?! Who says you have to be one person all the time. You can be whoever you want... adapt change grow broaden your horizon. Try on a different hat, act a different way... be one person at work, another at the gym, challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone at the bar, but no matter what your character you play remember you are still the same person underneath. Be true to that.

End on Agreement

The production manger hangs in the rafters waiting to "cut the lights" on a scene. Looking closely for a clue given on stage to signify the performance is finished. Ideally, the scene should end on an agreement. The improvisers should be playing at the same energy level and emotional state. A conclusion has been met - an agreement has been made. This improv lesson has a very powerful meaning when put in context of breaking up. No matter what happens at the end of the relationship - it truly can't be over under both people are ready to cut the lights. Whether the agreement is to remain friends, cut off communication for the time being, just be plain bitter... it needs to be agreed upon. Otherwise, the scene doesn't end. The performance drags on too long. The improvisers can get lost on stage and confused on how to end the scene. It has to end on agreement... even if that is to agree to disagree! Cut lights.

Blue

Have you heard of the saying "to go blue". Its when an improviser might use bad, crude, vulgar, sexually-offensive languages or actions on stage. Most the time, this behavior is seen as a way to get a cheap laugh and certainly not highly praised or encouraged. That said, sometime to be true to the scene and the character some moments call for going blue. Similar in life; sometimes you might feel a little down or angry or stressed or frustrated. Sometimes you have to be true to what you are feeling in the moment. Its ok to go blue... just try not to make a habit of it!

Thank you for the Suggestion

It will inevitable happen; during an improv show when asking the audience for a scene suggestion someone will yell out something inappropriate. Most the time, they aren't trying to heckle the performers but just get a few laughs from their friends. The way to handle this on stage is to say "Thank you for the suggestions, we will consider that. Do I have any other suggestions from the audience?" This approach allows the improvisor to stay in control of the situation and at the same time not make the person feel bad for their inappropriate comment. So often in life people try to give you opinions, suggestions, and slip in a few inappropriate comments. But you as the improvisor are in control of your performance. Don't feel at the mercy of the audience to do what they recommend. Just politely think... thank you for the suggestions, I will consider that. And do, consider it and if you want a different suggestion take it... Knowing that no matter what suggestion starts the performance you are the one that is interpreting the way the scene will play out!